Storage case

• US 6,516,639 B1
• Filed: 08/10/2001
• Issued: 02/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carling Point Limited
• Original Assignee: Carling Point Limited
• Inventors: Bagnall, Mark Daniel, Eaton, Neil Adrian, Margetts, Mark Geoffrey Newland, Day, Simon, Fisher, Andrew William
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): BANNAPRADIST, LISA M
• Application Number:
  US09/787,797
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 70/571, 70/58, 70/63, 206/1.5, 206/308.2, 206/387.11
• US Class Current: 70/57.1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0023 Containers, boxes, cases or the like, e.g. for compact discs or video-cassettes, specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/0233 Containers for a single cassette
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/0411 Single disc boxes G11B33/0461 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5004 For antitheft signaling device on protected article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle

Abstract

A storage case comprises a top portion and bottom portion adapted to abut each other in a closed position. A locking strip is mounted on an edge of the closed storage case. The top portion and bottom portion receive the locking strip. The storage case comprises formations receivable by said locking member such that said locking member and said storage case is in a locked position.

Claims

1. A storage case comprising first and second leaves hingedly secured together to permit hinging of the leaves between a closed position of the case in which portions of the leaves abut one another;

and an open position, the leaves defining a hollow interior of the storage case that is accessible, when the leaves are in the open position, for insertion and removal of articles, the abutting portions of the leaves defining a wall, of the storage case, that includes a lock for locking the leaves in the closed position, the lock including an elongate recess and a detachable locking member, characterised in that there are wall portions, secured on the respective leaves, that are spaced from the abutting portions of the leaves whereby in the closed position the wall portions lie adjacent one another to define, with the abutting portions of the leaves, the recess, each said wall portion including a plurality of slots and the locking member including a plurality of depressible teeth and being insertable into the recess such that slots in both the wall portions are engaged by teeth on the locking member to secure the locking member in the recess, the locking member engaging tabs positioned on both sides of the storage case to prevent access thereto.

2. A storage case according to claim 1 wherein the locking member is removable on simultaneous depression of the teeth out of their associated slots to permit removal of the locking member from the recess.

3. A storage case according to claim 1 wherein the wall portions each include formed therein an opening that permits insertion of a thumb or finger to assist opening of the leaves when the locking member is absent.

4. A storage case according to claim 3 wherein the openings are located so as to define a single, continuous opening in the wall portions when the leaves are in the closed position.

5. A tool for releasing a locking member from a storage case according to claim 2, the tool comprising a plurality of protrusions that act on the slots of the recess characterised in that the slots are engaged by teeth of the locking member, the tool being capable of depressing the teeth out of the associated slots to permit withdrawal of the locking member from the recess.

6. A storage case according to claim 1 wherein the locking member is slideably receivable in the recess.